The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a scheme to construct all-weather motorable approach roads connecting agricultural fields across rural parts of the state, reported PTI. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, an official statement said. The 'Mukhya Mantri Baliraja Shet-Panand Raste Yojana' allows 100 per cent mechanised construction, replacing earlier limitations under the MGNREGA framework where dependence on manual labour had slowed execution in several regions, reported PTI. The scheme will ensure all-weather motorable farm-to-field roads in rural Maharashtra, the statement said, reported PTI. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who will head the monitoring committee for the scheme, said farmers have faced persistent challenges with damaged or inaccessible roads during the monsoon, affecting crop sowing, harvesting and transportation, reported PTI. The scheme provides for 100 per cent use of machinery for speedy and quality construction. There will be no dependence on manual labour availability. The other highlights include waiver of survey fees, measurement charges and police bandobast expenses and exemption of royalty on soil, sand, murum and stones required for road work, the statement said, reported PTI. It also mandates tree plantation along both sides of the road and introduces cluster-based tendering in 25-km packages to accelerate implementation. The scheme will be rolled out across all districts of Maharashtra and monitored by the high-level committee headed by the revenue minister, the statement said, reported PTI. Decision on LoPs in both Houses to be taken by presiding officers, govt has no role: Fadnavis Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the Opposition was directionless and asserted the decision to appoint Leader of Opposition in the assembly and council comes under the jurisdiction of the respective presiding officers. The state government has no say in it, he said addressing a press conference in Nagpur on the eve of the Winter session of the state legislature. Whatever decision is taken by the presiding officers of both Houses is acceptable to his government, the CM emphasised. Earlier in the day, the Opposition boycotted the government's customary tea party on the eve of the Winter session, citing its failure to appoint LoPs in both Houses. "The Opposition's press conference appeared full of frustration and theatrics. It is not the government's role to announce the Leader of Opposition. Only the Speaker and the Council Chairman have the authority to do so," the CM pointed out. (With inputs from PTI)
08 December,2025 11:49 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentSix persons were killed after a car fell into a 600-foot deep gorge in Saptashring Garh Ghat in Nashik's Kalwan taluka on Sunday, a police official said, reported news agency PTI. The incident took place at 4 pm, and the deceased are from Pimpalgaon Baswant in Niphad taluka, the official added. "They died on the spot. The Toyota Innova vehicle, which had seven passengers, suffered heavy damage. The deceased have been identified as Kirti Patel (50), Raseela Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Vachan Patel (60) and Maniben Patel (70). Superintendent of police Balasaheb Patil is supervising rescue operations," the official said, reported PTI. The operations are underway with the deployment of personnel from the police as well as the district disaster management committee, said resident deputy collector and District Disaster Authority CEO Rohitkumar Rajput, reported PTI. PM Modi expresses grief Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths of six devotees in a vehicle accident in Maharashtra's Nashik district. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Nashik, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 7, 2025 "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Nashik, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon," PM Modi said. Maharashtra CM announces financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the incident as "extremely tragic" and announced financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees to the devotees' next of kin. नाशिक जिल्ह्यात सप्तश्रृंगी गडावरून एक वाहन कोसळून झालेल्या अपघातात 6 भाविकांचा मृत्यू झाल्याची घटना अतिशय दुर्दैवी आहे. मी त्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो. त्यांच्या कुटुंबीयांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत. मृतदेह बाहेर काढण्यासाठी मदतकार्य सुरू असून संपूर्ण यंत्रणा तेथे… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 7, 2025 "The incident of 6 devotees losing their lives in an accident where a vehicle fell from Saptashrungi Gad in Nashik district is extremely tragic. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share in the grief of their families. Rescue operations are underway to retrieve the bodies, and the entire machinery has been kept ready there. Financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees will be provided to the heirs of these devotees on behalf of the state government," Fadnavis said. Ajit Pawar expresses grief Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed deep grief over the tragic accident near Saptashring Garh Ghat in Nashik district, where an Innova car carrying returning devotees plunged into a deep gorge, claiming six lives. सप्तशृंगी देवीचं दर्शन घेऊन परतणाऱ्या भाविकांवर काळानं घातलेला घाला अतिशय हृदयद्रावक आहे. गणपती पॉईंट परिसरात इनोव्हा कार खोल दरीत कोसळून सहा जणांचा मृत्यू झाल्याची दुर्घटना मन हेलावून टाकणारी आहे. या दुर्दैवी अपघातात मृत्यू पावलेल्यांना मी भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो. — Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) December 7, 2025 In a post on X, Pawar said the incident was "extremely heart-wrenching" and described the loss of lives as "deeply disturbing." He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the accident, calling it an unfortunate and distressing tragedy. (With inputs from PTI)
08 December,2025 10:12 AM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentMumbai’s air quality has remained in the ‘moderate’ category — which poses a risk to those with respiratory illnesses, heart problems, and asthma — throughout the first week of December, continuing with the moderate AQI (Air Quality Index) streak that began on November 7. The first week of November recorded an AQI in the satisfactory category. Annually, Mumbai records its worst air quality in the winter months of December and January. However, despite consistently bad air quality, December’s average AQI stood around 122 during the first week, which is much lower than the average AQI during the same time in 2024, which was around 148, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Last year, AQI peaked at 174 during this time due to ozone — the secondary pollutant contributing to smog — and particulate matter, and December 2024’s worst reading was 199. This year, AQI has peaked at 138 in December so far, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the worst pollutant — the primary pollutant contributing to smog — which can come from construction and industrial emissions, apart from other contributors. What is smog?Smog is visible air pollution, comprising primary pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), mainly caused due to vehicular combustion and emissions from industries, sulphur dioxide (SO2) due to burning of coal or diesel, and ground-level ozone, which is a secondary pollutant, caused due to reactions from the primary pollutants. Worst affected areas Ghatkopar reported the worst AQI this week at 170 in the ‘moderate’ category, mainly due to PM10 and ozone. On December 4, Ghatkopar reported its worst AQI at 186. Kherwadi in Bandra East recorded an AQI of 142 with PM2.5 and PM10 as the main pollutants. On two days this week, Kherwadi’s AQI was in the ‘poor’ category, at 205 on December 4, and 236 on December 6. Sion reported an AQI of 134 on Sunday, but had an AQI in the ‘satisfactory’ category throughout the week. Byculla reported an AQI of 133, mainly due to PM10 Bandra Kurla Complex recorded an AQI of 125 on Sunday, due to PM10 and PM2.5. On December 4, BKC reported AQI in the ‘poor’ category, at 232.
08 December,2025 10:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSMumbai is expected to experience hazy conditions on Monday morning, followed by partly cloudy skies in the afternoon and evening across the city and suburbs. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the maximum temperature to hover around 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to be 19 degrees Celsius. Temperatures recorded earlier at key stations include 22.2 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 18.4 degrees Celsius at Santacruz, with no rainfall reported. Air quality in the city remains a concern, with the Sameer application reporting a moderate Air Quality Index (AQI) of 111. Residents with respiratory issues, asthma, or heart conditions may experience discomfort due to the elevated pollution levels. Certain areas of Mumbai are reporting higher AQI readings, including Malad at 125, Deonar at 123, and Vile Parle at 121, while Mazgaon and Worli recorded slightly lower values of 98 and 99, respectively. Mumbai air quality remains ‘moderate,’ posing health risks for vulnerable residents Mumbai’s air quality has remained in the ‘moderate’ category — which poses a risk to those with respiratory illnesses, heart problems, and asthma — throughout the first week of December, continuing with the moderate AQI streak that began on November 7. The first week of November recorded an AQI in the satisfactory category. Annually, Mumbai records its worst air quality in the winter months of December and January. However, despite consistently bad air quality, December’s average AQI stood around 122 during the first week, which is much lower than the average AQI during the same time in 2024, which was around 148, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Last year, AQI peaked at 174 during this time due to ozone — the secondary pollutant contributing to smog — and particulate matter, and December 2024’s worst reading was 199. This year, AQI has peaked at 138 in December so far, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the worst pollutant — the primary pollutant contributing to smog — which can come from construction and industrial emissions, apart from other contributors. What is smog?Smog is visible air pollution, comprising primary pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), mainly caused due to vehicular combustion and emissions from industries, sulphur dioxide (SO2) due to burning of coal or diesel, and ground-level ozone, which is a secondary pollutant, caused due to reactions from the primary pollutants. Worst affected areas Ghatkopar reported the worst AQI this week at 170 in the ‘moderate’ category, mainly due to PM10 and ozone. On December 4, Ghatkopar reported its worst AQI at 186. Kherwadi in Bandra East recorded an AQI of 142 with PM2.5 and PM10 as the main pollutants. On two days this week, Kherwadi’s AQI was in the ‘poor’ category, at 205 on December 4, and 236 on December 6. Sion reported an AQI of 134 on Sunday, but had an AQI in the ‘satisfactory’ category throughout the week. Byculla reported an AQI of 133, mainly due to PM10 Bandra Kurla Complex recorded an AQI of 125 on Sunday, due to PM10 and PM2.5. On December 4, BKC reported AQI in the ‘poor’ category, at 232.
08 December,2025 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday criticised the Opposition over its demand for the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in the Legislative Assembly, saying the people had already "rejected" them and they should focus on raising issues concerning Vidarbha during the ongoing winter session, reported news agency ANI. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Shinde said the Opposition should prioritise the concerns of the region instead of making allegations. "They should ensure justice for the people of Vidarbha, by being present in the House... They were there before 2014, so look at the situation before 2014... They just make allegations and criticise," he said, reported ANI. Taking a dig at the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Deputy CM further stated, "When I was the CM, even then they were telling me this is unconstitutional, and I became the CM by mistake. This government will fall tomorrow... I have worked for 2.5 years. Now I am the Dy CM; for that also, they say it is by mistake. To become the LoP, you have to solve the people's problems. In this session being held in Vidarbha, they should raise the issues of the people of Vidarbha in the House... The people have rejected you... Even in the last Lok Sabha, their numbers were low. They didn't get a LoP...," reported ANI. Targeting the opposition, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, "The people have rejected them, so they should introspect... I am working for the people, serving them. They are making allegations... The public does everything, and the public is the most important..." Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the ruling Mahayuti alliance has no insistence or prejudice regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature, asserting that the decision entirely rests with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Legislative Council. "The decision on the post of Leader of the Opposition is entirely under the jurisdiction of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Legislative Council. Therefore, we will accept the decision they take. We do not have any insistence or prejudice in this regard. The current opposition party is directionless. They do not have issues. They do not have the will to push the issues..." he said. (With inputs from ANI)
08 December,2025 09:43 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentTwo injured green sea turtles were released into the Arabian Sea off Dahanu on Sunday, 7 December. The release coincided with the Dahanu-Bordi beach cleanup and marathon organised by NGO Outplay Sports Foundation. For Dr Dinesh Vinherkar, 49, who nursed the turtles back to health, it also marked his silver jubilee wedding anniversary with his wife, Leena Vinherkar, 49. “There’s no greater joy than celebrating by helping clean the coast and witnessing these turtles return to the sea. The timing felt like a gift from the ocean itself,” he said. Rescue and rehabilitation The first turtle was found on June 10, 2025, along the Chinchani-Patil Wada stretch, weak, emaciated, and with a fractured carapace. The second, a subadult, was spotted in July 2025, entangled in a ghost net near Dahanu Khadi; weak with old injuries on its carapace. Dr Dinesh Vinherkar and his wife, Leena; (right) the vet celebrating his silver jubilee wedding anniversary Both were brought to the Injured Sea Turtles Treatment and Transit Centre run by the Dahanu forest division, where Dr Vinherkar and his team provided comprehensive care, including antibiotics, painkillers, fluid therapy, physiotherapy, laser treatment, and swimming-ability tests before release. 13 years of conservation Dr Vinherkar and the Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA) have been working with Dahanu Forest Division and the Mangrove Cell for thirteen years to rescue and rehabilitate marine animals. Over this period, the team has treated over 100 critically injured sea turtles. HelplineFor emergencies or to report injured or stranded marine animals, contact the forest department control room at 1926. Did you know?Green sea turtles used to be listed as endangered by the IUCN.All sea turtles are protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act.They maintain seagrass, coral reefs, and nutrient flow, essential for ocean health.The first green sea turtle hatchling in Maharashtra emerged in March 2022 at Devgad Tarkarli Beach.
08 December,2025 08:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavSouth Mumbai’s GT Hospital, which began functioning independently on October 9, 2024, is now planning a series of upgrades, with several new facilities in the planning and approval stages. Once cleared, these additions are expected to ease the load on the city’s public healthcare system. “In our first year as an independent medical facility, we set up two teaching halls and procured an MRI machine, which is now being installed. The second batch of 50 students for 2025 has also joined. We have established modular emergency and casualty wards, and R5 crore has been sanctioned to upgrade them. There is a long way to go, but we are on the right track,” said Dr Jitendra Sankpal, medical superintendent. Hiring manpower remains the biggest hurdle, said hospital Dean Dr Jitendra Deshmukh. “Infrastructure alone cannot provide facilities. We need staff. Even though plans are in place, actual implementation will take time. But we are committed to improving services soon,” he said. Why modular ICUs? Dr Sankpal explained, "In a modular ICU, the air circulation inside the ward will be purified 15 times per hour. This will help in keeping the wards highly sterile, thus reducing the chances of infection as bacteria won't be able to settle inside the ward for a long time, and this air exchange mechanism will help patients recover faster." The hospital also plans to apply for an increased intake of 100 students from the 2026 batch and aims to start PG courses soon. Upcoming facilities planned at GT Hospital Cath lab (cardiac catheterisation laboratory)20-bed modular ICU (current: 10 regular ICU beds)5-bed dialysis centre6 modular OTs (current OTs are regular)One additional MRI machine (one already procured) CT scan machineModular plastic surgery ward (R5 crore sanctioned)Three new buildings for the medical college, hostels and staff quarters (R210 crore sanctioned)
08 December,2025 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarA 65-year-old woman, Kuberabanu Shabbir Mansuri, died after being hit by a speeding autorickshaw during her morning walk in Khar West on December 6, Saturday. The Khar police arrested the driver, Kailas Suryanarayan Singh, who was later released on bail by the Bandra local court. Kuberabanu, a diabetic, had been advised by her doctor to take daily morning walks. She lived in Khar West with her husband, Shabbir Noormohammad Mansuri, 69, son Altaf, daughter Kausar, and son-in-law Kartik. According to police, she would leave home around 4.30 am every day and return by 8 am to 8.30 am. “On Saturday, she left as usual and planned to return early for a diabetes check-up,” a police officer said. Around 4.45 am, at Pimpleshwar Mandir Chowk near Hanuman Mandir on CD Road, a speeding auto rammed into her. The driver took her to Bhabha Hospital, Bandra, where she was declared dead. Speaking to mid-day, her daughter Kausar said, “My mother went for her walk but didn’t return. A local vendor told us an accident had occurred. When we reached Bhabha Hospital, we found she had passed away. She had diabetes and walked every day on the doctor’s advice. I have lost my mother to carelessness.”
08 December,2025 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaMumbai is set to get five additional permanent air quality monitoring stations, at CD Deshmukh Park in Mulund West, Pramod Mahajan Park in Dadar West, Chhota Kashmir in Aarey-Goregaon East, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar recreation ground in Dahisar East, and at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) K West ward office in Andheri West. These new stations, called Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), will be installed by the civic body, taking the total number of monitoring stations in the city to 33. Additionally, the BMC is set to procure four more mobile vans to monitor air quality. At present, the civic body has only one mobile van. How will this help? Locations for the new monitoring stations have been chosen as per the guidelines of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and in areas where the air quality monitoring is inadequate. At present, Mumbai’s monitoring stations are located at Borivli East, Byculla, Chakala-Andheri East, Chembur, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (T2), Colaba, Deonar, Ghatkopar, Kandivli East, Kandivli West, Kherwadi in Bandra East, Khindipada-Bhandup West, Mazagaon, Malad West, Mulund West, Navy Nagar-Colaba, Powai, Sewri, Shivaji Nagar in Govandi, Siddharth Nagar in Sion, and Vile Parle West. Dependence issues A senior civic official said, “The new monitoring stations are being installed to reduce BMC’s dependence on data from monitors owned by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).” At present, Mumbai has 15 monitoring stations belonging to the CPCB, and only six belonging to the BMC. The remaining monitoring stations are operated by the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay. “We have also noticed a problem with accessibility to address any problems. If there are missing numbers or erratic readings, we have no way to immediately reach out to the agencies concerned for action,” the official said. At least three monitoring stations are currently not operational on a daily basis, and provide insufficient data.
08 December,2025 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSStudents from over 900 colleges will now learn how to derive the square root of a number... the way Aryabhata did. They may also read up on how “Arthashastra is used by RAW and the CIA”, “mercury is seen as the masculine principle, and sulphur is viewed as the feminine principle” in alchemy, or how Acharya Sushruta pioneered plastic surgery and rhinoplasty over 2000 years ago. These are the topics touched upon by the first-ever Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) textbook published by Mumbai University. With 22 basic chapters, this compulsory subject is to be taught to students of all affiliated colleges. The textbook focuses on topics such as Ayurveda, Indian alchemy, Indian aesthetics, yoga, Natyashastra, ancient sports, and ancient warfare strategies, among others. The 150-pager draws up the curriculum for the two-credit course, where students have to score out of 50. The textbook cover, featuring Mumbai University’s Rajabai ClockTower in the foreground; (right) A page highlighting the salience of ancient texts As per Dr Prakash Masram, associate professor at the history department and the editor of the book, the contents were selected to ensure inclusion of all disciplines, from commerce to linguistics, while also giving focus to the history of Maharashtra. The book draws from the IKS syllabus, mentioning the Vedas, Charaka Samhita, and Arthashastra, alongside a few headers explaining excerpts from Jainism and Buddhism. “The book will be applicable to students of all disciplines, be it engineering, humanities, or social sciences. While autonomous colleges follow their own syllabus, our nearly 900 affiliated colleges now have their textbook chalked out,” said Masram. Asked how the scope of the syllabus was decided, Dr Madhav Rajwade, editor-in-chief of the book and principal of Sathaye College, told mid-day, “The rich Indian history does not start and end at certain topics, and the syllabus was decided based on the guidelines released by the University Grants Commission.” As per officials, the university has held four IKS training sessions for professors over the past two years. As per the professors, the book is soon to be translated into Marathi. Excerpts from the new book >> “According to reports, over 80% of Indians use Ayurveda and medicinal plants for their primary medical needs.”>> “According to Rasavidya, Mercury must undergo 18 different treatments or samskaras (processing), for using it as a promoter of long and prosperous life and to convert base metals into the noble ones.”>> “Elaborate details of (these) samskaras are found in some important texts. They include rubbing with various plant juices and extracts, incorporation of sulphur, mica, saltpetre, certain alkaline substances, cow’s urine and sour gruel.”>> “It is believed that an Indian Buddhist monk introduced Kalari, an indigenous martial art in India, to China and Japan in the 5th century. He taught this martial art at a temple.”>> “It (IKS) will highlight the contribution of India to the social and scientific branches of learning and will make the learner understand India’s position as a vishva-guru.”
08 December,2025 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarCome Christmas, and you are sure to hear carols, one of which is the popular Feliz Navidad, a Spanish phrase that means ‘Merry Christmas’. At a Tardeo school over the weekend, it was Feliz ‘Navy’dad as civilians wished the Indian Navy a Merry Christmas in an inspiring way, through blood donation. Several persons, especially from the Tardeo, Grant Road, and other areas in the SoBo vicinity, responded to a call by the recently formed New Chikhalwadi Welfare Association to donate blood for the Indian Navy, Air Force and Army. Doctors and personnel from the INHS Asvini Hospital, the oldest command hospital of the Indian Navy in Navy Nagar, Colaba, were in charge of the donation drive. This was the fledgling Association's first event. Patriotic fervour was full on when one visited the Sundatta school tucked away inside Talmaki Wadi in Tardeo. The donation was held inside the school hall. For Amit Bhalerao, 47, a regular blood donor, this donation felt dutiful and different. Bhalerao said while donating blood, “I am here safe within these walls, lying on a bed, monitored by doctors as I donate blood. To what or whom do we owe this safety? Our forces, of course.” Avinash S Raut, 55, also donating blood, said, “I donate blood annually at a hospital. When I learnt of this opportunity, I grabbed it. This is my time to do something for our warriors in uniform.” Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Balu B, transfusion medicine specialist, INHS Asvini, who was supervising proceedings, explained, “Blood is unique. It cannot be replaced by any chemical. A blood donation is more than simply a blood donation. There are three components that are prepared from a single donation of whole blood: Red blood cells (RBCs), platelets and plasma, and these can be used for the benefit of three different patients.” The surgeon added, “Social as well as audio visual media appreciate defence and understand the need for supporting men in uniform. The INHS Asvini caters for Army, Navy, Air Force veterans and their families. Any volunteer can donate at the blood centre on any working day.” Debutant donors From regulars to debut donors, people traipsed in at regular intervals. For first-time donor Krishna N Sheth, 20, there was pride in beginning his donation journey by giving for the defence. “We civilians, cannot go to the front to fight. We can contribute in small ways like these.” Blood donation camp organiser Prashant Amberkar, who has been holding donation camps for years in Prabhadevi, was at the venue to help out because of his experience. He said, “I hope everybody is imbued with patriotic feelings. First-time donors or even those who wish to donate seem slightly apprehensive. Yet, there is nothing to worry about donating, follow all advice to the ‘T’.” Blood donor Sagar Lotankar said, “We must give to let live” while Mahesh C, also donating, said, “The feeling here is palpable. Let us awaken this in everyone.”
08 December,2025 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharADVERTISEMENT
